From Opus

The species Pohnpei Starling is possibly extinct.

Alternative names: Pohnpei Mountain Starling, Ponape Mountain Starling

Aplonis pelzelni

[edit] Identification

16cm. A small, dull starling.

• Sooty brown head and upperparts, paler brown on rump and uppertail-coverts
• Pale brown wings and tail
• Lacking iridescence in plumage
• Pale brown throat and underparts, washed with olive-brown
• Brown eye
• Black bill and legs

Sexes similar. Juveniles are lighter brown, especially on underparts. The call consists of a bell-like shrill see-ay.

[edit] Distribution

Island of Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia) in the Pacific Ocean.
A survey in 1983 failed to locate this species, however a specimen was obtained in 1995. No confirmed records since then. Hunting, habitat loss and predation by rats may have led to its (probable) extinction.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Mountain forests in altitudes above 425m. Formerly also in lowlands.

[edit] Behaviour

Fed mainly on fruits, took also seeds and insects.
Said to have bred in tree holes, laying 2 eggs.
A resident species.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507

• List of references

[edit] External Links